Fan-out semiconductor package

ABSTRACT

A fan-out semiconductor package includes: a semiconductor chip having an active surface having connection pads disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface; an encapsulant encapsulating at least portions of the semiconductor chip; a connection member disposed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip and including a redistribution layer electrically connected to the connection pads; a passivation layer disposed on the connection member and having openings exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer; metal members disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connected to the exposed redistribution layer; and electrical connection structures disposed on the passivation layer and connected to the metal members, wherein the electrical connection structures have heights hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on sizes of the metal members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0164201 filed on Dec. 1, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor package, and more particularly, to a fan-out semiconductor package in which electrical connection structures may extend outwardly from a region in which a semiconductor chip is disposed.

BACKGROUND

As electronic devices have gradually be reduced and have improved in terms of performance, demand for related electronic components exhibiting higher levels of performance, in spite of having a small size, has increased. In accordance with such a demand, several kinds of integrated circuit (IC) packaging technology for manufacturing electronic components at a lower thickness have been researched. However, as the electronic devices have gradually been thinned, it has become more difficult to control warpage of the electronic component by controlling a thickness of the electronic component.

Conventionally, in order to control warpage of a packaging substrate in which a chip is embedded, thicknesses of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) in the packaging substrate have been controlled. However, there is a problem, in that the thickness is inevitably increased for the purpose of control of the warpage through the control of the thickness. In addition, in a situation in which the electronic component has been required to be gradually thinned, there is a limitation in a manner of controlling warpage through control of thickness.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a fan-out semiconductor package of which warpage is effectively controlled without increasing a thickness.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fan-out semiconductor package may be provided, in which metal members having different sizes are introduced and electrical connection structures are connected to the metal members to hierarchically differentiate heights of the electrical connection structures from one another.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a fan-out semiconductor package may include: a semiconductor chip having an active surface having connection pads disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface; an encapsulant encapsulating at least portions of the semiconductor chip; a connection member disposed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip and including a redistribution layer electrically connected to the connection pads; a passivation layer disposed on the connection member and having openings exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer; metal members disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connected to the exposed redistribution layer; and electrical connection structures disposed on the passivation layer and connected to the metal members, in which the electrical connection structures have heights hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on sizes of the metal members. For example, the metal members may include first and second metal members having different sizes, and the electrical connection structures may include first and second electrical connection structures connected to the first and second metal members, respectively, and having different heights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an electronic device;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating states of a fan-in semiconductor package before and after being packaged;

FIG. 4 is schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a packaging process of a fan-in semiconductor package;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-in semiconductor package is mounted on a ball grid array (BGA) substrate and is ultimately mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-in semiconductor package is embedded in a BGA substrate and is ultimately mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fan-out semiconductor package;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-out semiconductor package is mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a fan-out semiconductor package;

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view taken along line I-I′ of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are enlarged views of parts A, B, and C of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package;

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view taken along line II-II′ of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are enlarged views of parts D, E, and F of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package;

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view illustrating warpage generated in a fan-out semiconductor package; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a warpage control effect of a fan-out semiconductor package according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, shapes, sizes, and the like, of components may be exaggerated or stylized for clarity.

Herein, a lower side, a lower portion, a lower surface, and the like, are used to refer to a direction toward a mounting surface of the fan-out semiconductor package in relation to cross sections of the drawings, while an upper side, an upper portion, an upper surface, and the like, are used to refer to an opposite direction to the direction. However, these directions are defined for convenience of explanation, and the claims are not particularly limited by the directions defined as described above.

The meaning of a “connection” of a component to another component in the description includes an indirect connection through an adhesive layer as well as a direct connection between two components. In addition, “electrically connected” conceptually includes a physical connection and a physical disconnection. It can be understood that when an element is referred to with terms such as “first” and “second”, the element is not limited thereby. They may be used only for a purpose of distinguishing the element from the other elements, and may not limit the sequence or importance of the elements. In some cases, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the scope of the claims set forth herein. Similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

The term “an exemplary embodiment” used herein does not refer to the same exemplary embodiment, and is provided to emphasize a particular feature or characteristic different from that of another exemplary embodiment. However, exemplary embodiments provided herein are considered to be able to be implemented by being combined in whole or in part with one another. For example, one element described in a particular exemplary embodiment, even if it is not described in another exemplary embodiment, may be understood as a description related to another exemplary embodiment, unless an opposite or contradictory description is provided therein.

Terms used herein are used only in order to describe an exemplary embodiment rather than limiting the present disclosure. In this case, singular forms include plural forms unless interpreted otherwise in context.

Electronic Device

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device system.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 1000 may accommodate a mainboard 1010 therein. The mainboard 1010 may include chip related components 1020, network related components 1030, other components 1040, and the like, physically or electrically connected thereto. These components may be connected to others to be described below to form various signal lines 1090.

The chip related components 1020 may include a memory chip such as a volatile memory (for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), a non-volatile memory (for example, a read only memory (ROM)), a flash memory, or the like; an application processor chip such as a central processor (for example, a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processor (for example, a graphics processing unit (GPU)), a digital signal processor, a cryptographic processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or the like; and a logic chip such as an analog-to-digital (ADC) converter, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. However, the chip related components 1020 are not limited thereto, and may also include other types of chip related components. In addition, the chip related components 1020 may be combined with each other.

The network related components 1030 may include protocols such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) (Institute of Electrical And Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family, or the like), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) (IEEE 802.16 family, or the like), IEEE 802.20, long term evolution (LTE), evolution data only (Ev-DO), high speed packet access+(HSPA+), high speed downlink packet access+(HSDPA+), high speed uplink packet access+(HSUPA+), enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE), global system for mobile communications (GSM), global positioning system (GPS), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, and 5G protocols, and any other wireless and wired protocols, designated after the abovementioned protocols. However, the network related components 1030 are not limited thereto, and may also include a variety of other wireless or wired standards or protocols. In addition, the network related components 1030 may be combined with each other, together with the chip related components 1020 described above.

Other components 1040 may include a high frequency inductor, a ferrite inductor, a power inductor, ferrite beads, a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), or the like. However, other components 1040 are not limited thereto, and may also include passive components used for various other purposes, or the like. In addition, other components 1040 may be combined with each other, together with the chip related components 1020 or the network related components 1030 described above.

Depending on a type of the electronic device 1000, the electronic device 1000 may include other components that may or may not be physically or electrically connected to the mainboard 1010. These other components may include, for example, a camera module 1050, an antenna 1060, a display device 1070, a battery 1080, an audio codec (not illustrated), a video codec (not illustrated), a power amplifier (not illustrated), a compass (not illustrated), an accelerometer (not illustrated), a gyroscope (not illustrated), a speaker (not illustrated), a mass storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive) (not illustrated), a compact disk (CD) drive (not illustrated), a digital versatile disk (DVD) drive (not illustrated), or the like. However, these other components are not limited thereto, and may also include other components used for various purposes depending on a type of electronic device 1000, or the like.

The electronic device 1000 may be a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital video camera, a digital still camera, a network system, a computer, a monitor, a tablet PC, a laptop PC, a netbook PC, a television, a video game machine, a smartwatch, an automotive component, or the like. However, the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto, and may be any other electronic device processing data.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a semiconductor package may be used for various purposes in the various electronic devices 1000 as described above. For example, a motherboard 1110 may be accommodated in a body 1101 of a smartphone 1100, and various electronic components 1120 may be physically or electrically connected to the motherboard 1110. In addition, other components that may or may not be physically or electrically connected to the mainboard 1010, such as a camera module 1130, may be accommodated in the body 1101. Some of the electronic components 1120 may be the chip related components, for example, a semiconductor package 1121, but are not limited thereto. The electronic device is not necessarily limited to the smartphone 1100, and may be other electronic devices as described above.

Semiconductor Package

Generally, numerous fine electrical circuits are integrated in a semiconductor chip. However, the semiconductor chip may not serve as a finished semiconductor product in itself, and may be damaged due to external physical or chemical impacts. Therefore, the semiconductor chip itself may not be used, and may be packaged and used in an electronic device, or the like, in a packaged state.

Here, semiconductor packaging is required, due to the existence of a difference in a circuit width between the semiconductor chip and a mainboard of the electronic device in terms of electrical connections. In detail, a size of connection pads of the semiconductor chip and an interval between the connection pads of the semiconductor chip are very fine, but a size of component mounting pads of the mainboard used in the electronic device and an interval between the component mounting pads of the mainboard are significantly larger than those of the semiconductor chip. Therefore, it may be difficult to directly mount the semiconductor chip on the mainboard, and packaging technology for buffering a difference in a circuit width between the semiconductor chip and the mainboard is required.

A semiconductor package manufactured by the packaging technology may be classified as a fan-in semiconductor package or a fan-out semiconductor package depending on a structure and a purpose thereof.

The fan-in semiconductor package and the fan-out semiconductor package will hereinafter be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fan-in Semiconductor Package

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating states of a fan-in semiconductor package before and after being packaged.

FIG. 4 is schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a packaging process of a fan-in semiconductor package.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a semiconductor chip 2220 may be, for example, an integrated circuit (IC) in a bare state, including a body 2221 including silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or the like, connection pads 2222 formed on one surface of the body 2221 and including a conductive material such as aluminum (Al), or the like, and a passivation layer 2223 such as an oxide film, a nitride film, or the like, formed on one surface of the body 2221 and covering at least portions of the connection pads 2222. In this case, since the connection pads 2222 may be significantly small, it may be difficult to mount the integrated circuit (IC) on an intermediate level printed circuit board (PCB) as well as on the mainboard of the electronic device, or the like.

Therefore, depending on a size of the semiconductor chip 2220, a connection member 2240 may be formed on the semiconductor chip 2220 in order to redistribute the connection pads 2222. The connection member 2240 may be formed by forming an insulating layer 2241 on the semiconductor chip 2220 using an insulating material such as a photoimagable dielectric (PID) resin, forming via holes 2243 h opening the connection pads 2222, and then forming wiring patterns 2242 and vias 2243. Then, a passivation layer 2250 protecting the connection member 2240 may be formed, an opening 2251 may be formed, and an underbump metal layer 2260, or the like, may be formed. That is, a fan-in semiconductor package 2200 including, for example, the semiconductor chip 2220, the connection member 2240, the passivation layer 2250, and the underbump metal layer 2260 may be manufactured through a series of processes.

As described above, the fan-in semiconductor package may have a package form in which all of the connection pads, for example, input/output (I/O) terminals, of the semiconductor chip are disposed inside the semiconductor chip, and may have excellent electrical characteristics and be produced at a low cost. Therefore, many elements mounted in smartphones have been manufactured in a fan-in semiconductor package form. In detail, many elements mounted in smartphones have been developed to implement a rapid signal transfer while having a compact size.

However, since all I/O terminals need to be disposed inside the semiconductor chip in the fan-in semiconductor package, the fan-in semiconductor package has significant spatial limitations. Therefore, it is difficult to apply this structure to a semiconductor chip having a large number of I/O terminals or a semiconductor chip having a compact size. In addition, due to the disadvantage described above, the fan-in semiconductor package may not be directly mounted and used on the mainboard of the electronic device. The reason is that even in a case in which a size of the I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip and an interval between the I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip are increased by a redistribution process, the size of the I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip and the interval between the I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip may not be sufficient to directly mount the fan-in semiconductor package on the mainboard of the electronic device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-in semiconductor package is mounted on a ball grid array (BGA) substrate and is ultimately mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-in semiconductor package is embedded in a BGA substrate and is ultimately mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in a fan-in semiconductor package 2200, connection pads 2222, that is, I/O terminals, of a semiconductor chip 2220 may be redistributed through a BGA substrate 2301, and the fan-in semiconductor package 2200 may be ultimately mounted on a mainboard 2500 of an electronic device in a state in which it is mounted on the BGA substrate 2301. In this case, solder balls 2270, and the like, may be fixed by an underfill resin 2280, or the like, and an outer side of the semiconductor chip 2220 may be covered with a molding material 2290, or the like. Alternatively, a fan-in semiconductor package 2200 may be embedded in a separate BGA substrate 2302, connection pads 2222, that is, I/O terminals, of the semiconductor chip 2220 may be redistributed by the BGA substrate 2302 in a state in which the fan-in semiconductor package 2200 is embedded in the BGA substrate 2302, and the fan-in semiconductor package 2200 may be ultimately mounted on a mainboard 2500 of an electronic device.

As described above, it may be difficult to directly mount and use the fan-in semiconductor package on the mainboard of the electronic device. Therefore, the fan-in semiconductor package may be mounted on the separate BGA substrate and be then mounted on the mainboard of the electronic device through a packaging process or may be mounted and used on the mainboard of the electronic device in a state in which it is embedded in the BGA substrate.

Fan-Out Semiconductor Package

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fan-out semiconductor package.

Referring to FIG. 7, in a fan-out semiconductor package 2100, for example, an outer side of a semiconductor chip 2120 may be protected by an encapsulant 2130, and connection pads 2122 of the semiconductor chip 2120 may be redistributed outwardly of the semiconductor chip 2120 by a connection member 2140. In this case, a passivation layer 2150 may further be formed on the connection member 2140, and an underbump metal layer 2160 may further be formed in openings of the passivation layer 2150. Solder balls 2170 may further be formed on the underbump metal layer 2160. The semiconductor chip 2120 may be an integrated circuit (IC) including a body 2121, the connection pads 2122, a passivation layer (not illustrated), and the like. The connection member 2140 may include an insulating layer 2141, redistribution layers 2142 formed on the insulating layer 2141, and vias 2143 electrically connecting the connection pads 2122 and the redistribution layers 2142 to each other.

As described above, the fan-out semiconductor package may have a form in which I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip are redistributed and disposed outwardly of the semiconductor chip through the connection member formed on the semiconductor chip. As described above, in the fan-in semiconductor package, all I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip need to be disposed inside the semiconductor chip. Therefore, when a size of the semiconductor chip is decreased, a size and a pitch of balls need to be decreased, such that a standardized ball layout may not be used in the fan-in semiconductor package. On the other hand, the fan-out semiconductor package has the form in which the I/O terminals of the semiconductor chip are redistributed and disposed outwardly of the semiconductor chip through the connection member formed on the semiconductor chip as described above. Therefore, even in a case in which a size of the semiconductor chip is decreased, a standardized ball layout may be used in the fan-out semiconductor package as it is, such that the fan-out semiconductor package may be mounted on the mainboard of the electronic device without using a separate BGA substrate, as described below.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which a fan-out semiconductor package is mounted on a mainboard of an electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 8, a fan-out semiconductor package 2100 may be mounted on a mainboard 2500 of an electronic device through solder balls 2170, or the like. That is, as described above, the fan-out semiconductor package 2100 includes the connection member 2140 formed on the semiconductor chip 2120 and capable of redistributing the connection pads 2122 to a fan-out region that is outside of a size of the semiconductor chip 2120, such that the standardized ball layout may be used in the fan-out semiconductor package 2100 as it is. As a result, the fan-out semiconductor package 2100 may be mounted on the mainboard 2500 of the electronic device without using a separate BGA substrate, or the like.

As described above, since the fan-out semiconductor package may be mounted on the mainboard of the electronic device without using the separate BGA substrate, the fan-out semiconductor package may be implemented at a thickness lower than that of the fan-in semiconductor package using the BGA substrate. Therefore, the fan-out semiconductor package may be miniaturized and thinned. In addition, the fan-out semiconductor package has excellent thermal characteristics and electrical characteristics, such that it is particularly appropriate for a mobile product. Therefore, the fan-out semiconductor package may be implemented in a form more compact than that of a general package-on-package (POP) type using a printed circuit board (PCB), and may solve a problem due to the occurrence of a warpage phenomenon.

Meanwhile, the fan-out semiconductor package refers to package technology for mounting the semiconductor chip on the mainboard of the electronic device, or the like, as described above, and protecting the semiconductor chip from external impacts, and is a concept different from that of a printed circuit board (PCB) such as a BGA substrate, or the like, having a scale, a purpose, and the like, different from those of the fan-out semiconductor package, and having the fan-in semiconductor package embedded therein.

A fan-out semiconductor package of which warpage is effectively controlled without increasing a thickness will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a fan-out semiconductor package.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view taken along line I-I′ of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are enlarged views of parts A, B, and C of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, a fan-out semiconductor package 100A according to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure may include a core member 110 having a through-hole 110H and a plurality of wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c, a semiconductor chip 120 disposed in the through-hole 110H of the core member 110 and having an active surface having connection pads 122 disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface, an encapsulant 130 covering at least portions of the core member 110 and the semiconductor chip 120 and filling at least portions of the through-hole 110H, a connection member 140 disposed on the core member 110 and the active surface of the semiconductor chip 120 and including redistribution layers 142 electrically connected to the connection pads 122, a passivation layer 150 disposed on the connection member 140 and having openings 151 exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer 142, metal members 160 disposed in the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 and connected to the exposed redistribution layer 142, electrical connection structures 170 disposed on the passivation layer 150 and connected to the metal members 160, a backside wiring layer 132 disposed on the encapsulant 130, backside vias 133 penetrating through at least portions of the encapsulant 130 and connecting the wiring layer 112 c of the core member 110 and the backside wiring layer 132 to each other, and a cover layer 180 disposed on the encapsulant 130 and covering at least portions of the backside wiring layer 132.

Meanwhile, the metal members 160 may include first, second, and third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C having different sizes, and the electrical connection structures 170 may include first, second, and third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, and having different heights. The openings 151 in the passivation layer 150 may include first, second, and third openings 151A, 151B, and 151C in which the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C are disposed, respectively, and sizes of the first to third openings 151A, 151B, and 151C may be approximately the same as each other. In more detail, in the exemplary embodiment, the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C may have a form of under bump metal layers (UBMs) including UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP disposed on the passivation layer 150 and UBM vias 160AV, 160BV, and 160CV each disposed in the openings 151A, 151B, and 151C of the passivation layer 150 and connecting the exposed redistribution layer 142 and the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP to each other, respectively.

In this case, widths, for example, diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of cross sections of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C may be different from one another, and heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, may thus be different from one another. For example, the widths, for example, the diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of the cross sections of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP may be reduced in a sequence of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, and the heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, may thus be increased in the sequence of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C. As described above, the heights of the electronic connection structures 170 may be hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on sizes of the metal members 160. In this case, even though warpage is generated in a fan-out semiconductor package as illustrated in FIG. 19, the heights of the electronic connection structures 170 may be hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on the warpage, as illustrated in FIG. 20, to prevent a non-wetting defect depending on the warpage, such that warpage of the fan-out semiconductor package 100A may be effectively controlled without increasing a thickness of the fan-out semiconductor package 100A.

Particularly, the heights of the electrical connection structures 170 are controlled by introducing separate metal members 160. The sizes of the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 are maintained to be approximately the same as one another rather than controlling the sizes of the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150. Reliability of the electrical connection structures 170 may thus be more excellent compared to a case of simply controlling the sizes of the openings 151. Meanwhile, such a hierarchical disposition may be variously modified in order to control the warpage of the fan-out semiconductor package 100A. As an example, the heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C may be designed to be decreased as the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package by increasing the sizes, for example, the diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP as the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package, as illustrated in FIG. 12. As another example, the heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C may be designed to be increased as the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package by decreasing the sizes, for example, the diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP as the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package, as opposed to FIG. 12.

The respective components included in the fan-out semiconductor package 100A according to the exemplary embodiment will hereinafter be described in more detail.

The core member 110, which is an additional component, may improve rigidity of the fan-out semiconductor package 100A depending on certain materials, and serve to secure uniformity of a thickness of the encapsulant 130. When the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c, vias 113 a and 113 b, and the like, are formed in the core member 110, the fan-out semiconductor package 100A may be utilized as a package-on-package (POP) type package. The core member 110 may have the through-hole 110H. The semiconductor chip 120 may be disposed in the through-hole 110H to be spaced apart from the core member 110 by a predetermined distance. Side surfaces of the semiconductor chip 120 may be surrounded by the core member 110.

The core member 110 may include a first insulating layer 111 a, a first wiring layer 112 a embedded in the first insulating layer 111 a so that one surface thereof is exposed, a second wiring layer 112 b disposed on the other surface of the first insulating layer 111 a opposing one surface of the first insulating layer 111 a in which the first wiring layer 112 a is embedded, a second insulating layer 111 b disposed on the first insulating layer 111 a and covering the second wiring layer 112 b, and a third wiring layer 112 c disposed on the second insulating layer 111 b. The first to third wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may be electrically connected to each other through first and second vias 113 a and 113 b each penetrating through the first and second insulating layers 111 a and 111 b, and may be electrically connected to the connection pads 122 through the redistribution layers 142, or the like.

A material of each of the insulating layers 111 a and 111 b is not particularly limited. For example, an insulating material may be used as the material of each of the insulating layers 111 a and 111 b. In this case, the insulating material may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is mixed with an inorganic filler or is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, Ajinomoto Build up Film (ABF), FR-4, Bismaleimide Triazine (BT), or the like. Alternatively, a PID resin may also be used as the insulating material.

The wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may serve to redistribute the connection pads 122 of the semiconductor chip 120. A material of each of the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may be a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof. The wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may perform various functions depending on designs of their corresponding layers. For example, the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may include ground (GND) patterns, power (PWR) patterns, signal (S) patterns, and the like. Here, the signal (S) patterns may include various signals with the exception of the ground (GND) patterns, the power (PWR) patterns, and the like, such as data signals, and the like. In addition, the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may include via pads, wire pads, electrical connection structure pads, and the like. The second wiring layer 112 b may be disposed on a level between the active surface and the inactive surface of the semiconductor chip 120. A thickness of each of the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c may be greater than that of the redistribution layer 142.

The vias 113 a and 113 b may electrically connect the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c formed on different layers to each other, resulting in an electrical path in the core member 110. A material of each of the vias 113 a and 113 b may be a conductive material. Each of the vias 113 a and 113 b may be completely filled with a conductive material, or a conductive material may also be formed along a wall of each of via holes. Meanwhile, all the vias 113 a and 113 b may have tapered shapes of which directions are the same as each other for a reason in a process.

The semiconductor chip 120 may be an integrated circuit (IC) provided in an amount of several hundred to several million or more elements integrated in a single chip. In this case, the IC may be a memory chip such as a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM), a non-volatile memory (for example, a ROM), a flash memory, or the like; an application processor chip such as a central processor (for example, a CPU), a graphics processor (for example, a GPU), a digital signal processor, a cryptographic processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or the like; and a logic chip such as an ADC converter, an ASIC, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The semiconductor chip 120 may be formed on the basis of an active wafer. In this case, a base material of a body 121 may be silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or the like. Various circuits may be formed on the body 121. The connection pads 122 may electrically connect the semiconductor chip 120 to other components. A material of each of the connection pads 122 may be a conductive material such as aluminum (Al), or the like. A passivation layer 123 exposing the connection pads 122 may be formed on the body 121, and may be an oxide film, a nitride film, or the like, or a double layer of an oxide layer and a nitride layer. A lower surface of the connection pad 122 may have a step with respect to a lower surface of the encapsulant 130 through the passivation layer 123. Therefore, the encapsulant 130 may fill at least portions of a space between the passivation layer 123 and the connection member 140. In this case, a phenomenon in which the encapsulant 130 bleeds into the lower surface of the connection pad 122 may be prevented to some degree. An insulating layer (not illustrated), and the like, may also be further disposed in other required positions. The semiconductor chip 120 may be a bare die. Therefore, the connection pads 122 may be in physical contact with the vias 143 of the connection member 140. However, when the semiconductor chip 120 is not an application processor (AP), a separate redistribution layer (not illustrated) may further be formed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip 120, and bumps (not illustrated), or the like, may be connected to the connection pads 122.

The encapsulant 130 may protect the core member 110, the semiconductor chip 120, and the like. An encapsulation form of the encapsulant 130 is not particularly limited, and may be a form in which the encapsulant 130 surrounds at least portions of the core member 110, the semiconductor chip 120, and the like. For example, the encapsulant 130 may cover at least portions of the core member 110 and the semiconductor chip 120, and fill at least portions of the through-hole 110H. Meanwhile, the encapsulant 130 may fill the through-hole 110H to thus serve as an adhesive and reduce buckling of the semiconductor chip 120 depending on certain materials.

A material of the encapsulant 130 is not particularly limited. For example, an insulating material may be used as the material of each of the encapsulant 130. In this case, the insulating material may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is mixed with an inorganic filler or is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, ABF, FR-4, BT, or the like. Alternatively, a photoimagable encapsulant (PIE) resin may also be used as the insulating material.

The backside wiring layer 132 may be disposed on the encapsulant 130, if necessary. The backside wiring layer 132 may be electrically connected to the wiring layer 112 c of the core member 110 through the backside vias 133 penetrating through the encapsulant 130. A material of each of the backside wiring layers 132 may be a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof. The backside wiring layer 132 may perform various functions depending on a design. For example, the backside wiring layer 132 may include ground (GND) patterns, power (PWR) patterns, signal (5) patterns, and the like. The backside via 133 may have a tapered shape, similar to the vias 113 a and 113 b of the core member 110.

The connection member 140 may redistribute the connection pads 122 of the semiconductor chip 120. Several tens to several hundreds of connection pads 122 of the semiconductor chip 120 having various functions may be redistributed by the connection member 140, and may be physically or electrically externally connected through the electrical connection structures 170 depending on the functions. The connection member 140 may include insulating layers 141 disposed on the core member 110 and the active surface of the semiconductor chip 120, the redistribution layers 142 disposed on the insulating layers 141, and vias 143 penetrating through the insulating layers 141 and electrically connecting the connection pads 122 and the redistribution layers 142 to each other. A case in which the connection member 140 includes a plurality of insulating layers, a plurality of redistribution layers, and a plurality of via layers is illustrated in the drawings, but the connection member 140 may include lower numbers or larger numbers of insulating layers, redistribution layers, and via layers than those illustrated in the drawings depending on a design.

A material of each of the insulating layers 141 may be an insulating material. In this case, a photosensitive insulating material such as a PID resin may also be used as the insulating material. That is, each of the insulating layers 141 may be a photosensitive insulating layer. When the insulating layer 141 has photosensitive properties, the insulating layer 141 may be formed to have a lower thickness, and a fine pitch of the via 143 may be achieved more easily. Each of the insulating layers 141 may be a photosensitive insulating layer including an insulating resin and an inorganic filler. When the insulating layers 141 are multiple layers, materials of the insulating layers 141 may be the same as each other, and may also be different from each other, if necessary. When the insulating layers 141 are the multiple layers, the insulating layers 141 may be integrated with each other depending on a process, such that a boundary therebetween may also not be apparent.

The redistribution layers 142 may substantially serve to redistribute the connection pads 122. A material of each of the redistribution layers 142 may be a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof. The redistribution layers 142 may perform various functions depending on designs of their corresponding layers. For example, the redistribution layers 142 may include ground (GND) patterns, power (PWR) patterns, signal (S) patterns, and the like. Here, the signal (S) patterns may include various signals with the exception of the ground (GND) patterns, the power (PWR) patterns, and the like, such as data signals, and the like. In addition, the redistribution layers 142 may include various pad patterns 142 a and 142 b. Only the pad patterns 142 a and 142 b are illustrated as the redistribution layers 142 in the drawings, but patterns such as the ground patterns, the power patterns, the signal patterns, and the like, as described above may be designed in line form or plane form as the redistribution layers 142.

The vias 143 may electrically connect the redistribution layers 142, the connection pads 122, or the like, formed on different layers to each other, resulting in an electrical path in the fan-out semiconductor package 100A. A material of each of the vias 143 may be a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof. Each of the vias 143 may be completely filled with the conductive material, or the conductive material may also be formed along a wall of each of the vias. Meanwhile, each of the vias 143 of the connection member 140 may have a tapered shape of which a direction is opposite to that of each of the vias 113 a and 113 b of the core member 110. The vias 143 may be in direct physical contact with the connection pads 122.

The passivation layer 150 may be disposed on the connection member 140. The passivation layer 150 may protect the connection member 140 from external physical or chemical damage. The passivation layer 150 may have the openings 151 exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer 142 of the connection member 140. The number of openings 151 formed in the passivation layer 150 may be several tens to several millions. A surface treatment layer may be formed on a surface of the exposed redistribution layer 142. A material of the passivation layer 150 is not particularly limited. For example, an insulating material may be used as the material of the passivation layer 150. In this case, the insulating material may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is mixed with an inorganic filler or is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, ABF, FR-4, BT, or the like. Alternatively, a solder resist may also be used.

The metal members 160 may be disposed in the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150. As an example, the metal members 160 may have a form of UBMs including UBM pads 160P disposed on the passivation layer 150 and UBM vias 160V disposed in the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 and connecting the exposed redistribution layer 142 and the UBM pads 160P to each other, respectively. The electrical connection structures 170 are connected to the metal members 160, such that reliability of the electrical connection structures 170 may be improved. Particularly, the heights of the electrical connection structures 170 may be controlled by controlling the sizes of the metal members 160, such that a warpage control effect may be accomplished.

The electrical connection structure 170 may physically or electrically externally connect the fan-out semiconductor package 100A. For example, the fan-out semiconductor package 100A may be mounted on the mainboard of the electronic device through the electrical connection structures 170. Each of the electrical connection structures 170 may be formed of a low melting point metal, for example, a solder such as tin (Sn)-aluminum (Al)-copper (Cu), or the like. However, this is only an example, and a material of each of the electrical connection structures 170 is not limited thereto. Each of the electrical connection structures 170 may be a land, a ball, a pin, or the like. The electrical connection structures 170 may be formed as a multilayer or single layer structure. When the electrical connection structures 170 are formed as a multilayer structure, the electrical connection structures 170 may include a copper (Cu) pillar and a solder. When the electrical connection structures 170 are formed as a single layer structure, the electrical connection structures 170 may include a tin-silver solder or copper (Cu). However, this is only an example, and the electrical connection structures 170 are not limited thereto.

The number, an interval, a disposition form, and the like, of electrical connection structures 170 are not particularly limited, and may be sufficiently modified depending on design particulars by those skilled in the art. For example, the electrical connection structures 170 may be provided in an amount of several tens to several thousands according to the number of connection pads 122, or may be provided in an amount of several tens to several thousands or more or several tens to several thousands or less. When the electrical connection structures 170 are solder balls, the electrical connection structures 170 may cover side surfaces of the underbump metal layer 160 extending onto one surface of the passivation layer 150, and connection reliability may be more excellent.

At least one of the electrical connection structures 170 may be disposed in a fan-out region. The fan-out region refers to a region with the exception of a region in which the semiconductor chip 120 is disposed. The fan-out package may have excellent reliability as compared to a fan-in package, may implement a plurality of input/output (I/O) terminals, and may facilitate a 3D interconnection. In addition, as compared to a ball grid array (BGA) package, a land grid array (LGA) package, or the like, the fan-out package may be manufactured to have a small thickness, and may have price competitiveness.

The metal members 160 may include the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C having the different sizes, and the electrical connection structures 170 may include the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, and having the different heights. The openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 may include the first to third openings 151A, 151B, and 151C in which the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C are disposed, respectively, and the sizes of the first to third openings 151A, 151B, and 151C may be approximately the same as each other. In more detail, in the exemplary embodiment, the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C may have the form of the UBMs including the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP disposed on the passivation layer 150 and the UBM vias 160AV, 160BV, and 160CV each disposed in the openings 151A, 151B, and 151C of the passivation layer 150 and connecting the exposed redistribution layer 142 and the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP to each other, respectively. In this case, the widths, for example, the diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of the cross sections of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C may be different from one another, and the heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, may thus be different from one another. For example, the widths, for example, the diameters Wa, Wb, and Wc, of the cross sections of the UBM pads 160AP, 160BP, and 160CP may be reduced in the sequence of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, and the heights ha, hb, and hc of the first to third electrical connection structures 170A, 170B, and 170C connected to the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C, respectively, may thus be increased in the sequence of the first to third metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C.

The cover layer 180 may protect the backside wiring layer 132 from external physical or chemical damage. The cover layer 180 may have openings exposing at least portions of the backside wiring layer 132. The number of openings formed in the cover layer 180 may be several tens to several thousands. A surface treatment layer may be formed on a surface of the exposed backside wiring layer 132. A material of the cover layer 180 is not particularly limited. For example, an insulating material may be used as the material of the cover layer 180. In this case, the insulating material may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is mixed with an inorganic filler or is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, ABF, FR-4, BT, or the like. Alternatively, a solder resist may also be used.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, a metal thin film may be formed on walls of the through-hole 110H, if necessary, in order to dissipate heat or block electromagnetic waves. In addition, a plurality of semiconductor chips 120 performing functions that are the same as or different from each other may be disposed in the through-hole 110H, if necessary. In addition, a separate passive component such as an inductor, a capacitor, or the like, may be disposed in the through-hole 110H, if necessary.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view taken along line II-II′ of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are enlarged views of parts D, E, and F of the fan-out semiconductor package of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIGS. 13 through 16, in a fan-out semiconductor package 100B according to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, metal members 160 may include fourth, fifth, and sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F having different sizes, and electrical connection structures 170 may have fourth, fifth, and sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F connected to the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F, respectively, and having different heights. Openings 151 of a passivation layer 150 may include fourth, fifth, and sixth openings 151D, 151E, and 151F in which the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F are disposed, respectively, and sizes of the fourth to sixth openings 151D, 151E, and 151F may be approximately the same as each other.

In more detail, in another exemplary embodiment, the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F may have a form of metal posts disposed in the openings 151D, 151E, and 151F of the passivation layer 150 to be spaced apart from walls of the openings 151D, 151E, and 151F. The metal posts may include the known metal such as copper.

In this case, widths Wd, We, and Wf of cross sections and/or volumes of the metal posts of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F may be different from one another, and heights hd, he, and hf of the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F connected to the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F, respectively, may thus be different from one another. In this case, the widths Wd, We, and Wf of the cross sections and/or the volumes of the metal posts of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F may be reduced in a sequence of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F, and the heights hd, he, and hf of the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F connected to the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F, respectively, may thus be reduced in the sequence of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E and 160F. As described above, the heights of the electronic connection structures 170 may be hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on sizes of the metal members 160. In this case, even though warpage is generated in a fan-out semiconductor package as illustrated in FIG. 19, the heights of the electronic connection structures 170 may be hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on the warpage, as illustrated in FIG. 20, to prevent a non-wetting defect, such that warpage of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B may be effectively controlled without increasing a thickness of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B.

Particularly, the heights of the electrical connection structures 170 are controlled by introducing separate metal members 160 in a state in which the sizes of the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 are maintained to be approximately the same as one another rather than controlling the sizes of the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150, and reliability of the electrical connection structures 170 may thus be more excellent than that in a case of simply controlling the sizes of the openings 151. Meanwhile, such a hierarchical disposition may be variously modified in order to control the warpage of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B. As an example, the heights hd, he, and hf of the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F may be designed to be decreased as the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B by decreasing the widths Wd, We, and Wf of the cross sections and/or the volumes of the metal posts of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E, and 160F as the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E, and 160F become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B, as illustrated in FIG. 16. As another example, the heights hd, he, and hf of the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F may be designed to be increased as the fourth to sixth electrical connection structures 170D, 170E, and 170F become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B by increasing the widths Wd, We, and Wf of the cross sections and/or the volumes of the metal posts of the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E, and 160F as the fourth to sixth metal members 160D, 160E, and 160F become distant from the center of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B, as opposed to FIG. 16. Other contents overlap those described above, and a detailed description thereof is thus omitted. Meanwhile, the form of the UBMs of the metal members 160A, 160B, and 160C of the fan-out semiconductor package 100A according to the exemplary embodiment described above and the form of the metal posts of the metal members 160D, 160E, and 160F of the fan-out semiconductor package 100B according to another exemplary embodiment described above may be mixed with each other and be used.

According to another exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, the heights of the electrical connection structures 170 are controlled by introducing separate metal members 160 in a state in which the sizes of the openings 151 of the passivation layer 150 vary.

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a fan-out semiconductor package.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, fan-out semiconductor packages 100C and 100D according to other exemplary embodiments may be substantially the same as the fan-out semiconductor package 100A according to the exemplary embodiment and the fan-out semiconductor package 100B according to another exemplary embodiment described above except that a core member 110 includes a first insulating layer 111 a, a first wiring layer 112 a disposed on a first surface of the first insulating layer 111 a, a second wiring layer 112 b disposed on a second surface of the first insulating layer 111 a, a second insulating layer 111 b disposed on the first surface of the first insulating layer 111 a and covering the first wiring layer 112 a, a third wiring layer 112 c disposed on the second insulating layer 111 b, a third insulating layer 111 c disposed on the second surface of the first insulating layer 111 a and covering the second wiring layer 112 b, and a fourth wiring layer 112 d disposed on the third insulating layer 111 c. In addition, the core member 110 may include first vias 113 a penetrating through the first insulating layer 111 a and electrically connecting the first and second wiring layers 112 a and 112 b to each other, second vias 113 b penetrating through the second insulating layer 111 b and electrically connecting the first and third wiring layers 112 a and 112 c to each other, and third vias 113 c penetrating through the third insulating layer 111 c and electrically connecting the second and fourth wiring layers 112 b and 112 d to each other. The first to fourth wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may be electrically connected to each other, and may be electrically connected to connection pads 122 of a semiconductor chip 120.

A material of each of the insulating layers 111 a, 111 b, and 111 c is not particularly limited. For example, an insulating material may be used as the material of each of the insulating layers 111 a, 111 b, and 111 c. In this case, the insulating material may be a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyimide resin, a resin in which the thermosetting resin or the thermoplastic resin is mixed with an inorganic filler or is impregnated together with an inorganic filler in a core material such as a glass fiber (or a glass cloth or a glass fabric), for example, prepreg, ABF, FR-4, BT, or the like. Alternatively, a PID resin may also be used as the insulating material.

The wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may serve to redistribute the connection pads 122 of the semiconductor chip 120. A material of each of the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may be a conductive material such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), or alloys thereof. The wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may perform various functions depending on designs of their corresponding layers. For example, the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may include ground (GND) patterns, power (PWR) patterns, signal (S) patterns, and the like. Here, the signal (S) patterns may include various signals with the exception of the ground (GND) patterns, the power (PWR) patterns, and the like, such as data signals, and the like. In addition, the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may include via pads, wire pads, electrical connection structure pads, and the like. The first wiring layer 112 a and the second wiring layer 112 b may be disposed at a level between an active surface and an inactive surface of the semiconductor chip 120. Thicknesses of the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d may be greater than those of redistribution layers 142 of a connection member 140.

The vias 113 a, 113 b, and 113 c may electrically connect the wiring layers 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, and 112 d formed on different layers to each other, resulting in an electrical path in the core member 110. A material of each of the vias 113 a, 113 b, and 113 c may be a conductive material. Each of the vias 113 a, 113 b, and 113 c may be completely filled with a conductive material, or a conductive material may also be formed along a wall of each of via holes. The first vias 113 a may have an hourglass shape, and the second and third vias 113 b and 113 c may have tapered shapes of which directions are opposite to each other.

The first insulating layer 111 a may have a thickness greater than those of the second insulating layer 111 b and the third insulating layer 111 c. The first insulating layer 111 a may be basically relatively thick in order to maintain rigidity, and the second insulating layer 111 b and the third insulating layer 111 c may be introduced in order to form a larger number of wiring layers 112 c and 112 d. The first insulating layer 111 a may include an insulating material different from those of the second insulating layer 111 b and the third insulating layer 111 c. For example, the first insulating layer 111 a may be, for example, prepreg including a core material, a filler, and an insulating resin, and the second insulating layer 111 b and the third insulating layer 111 c may be an ABF or a PID film including a filler and an insulating resin. However, the materials of the first insulating layer 111 a and the second and third insulating layers 111 b and 111 c are not limited thereto. Similarly, the first vias 113 a penetrating through the first insulating layer 111 a may have a diameter greater than those of second vias 113 b and third vias 113 c each penetrating through the second insulating layer 111 b and the third insulating layer 111 c. Other contents overlap those described above, and a detailed description thereof is thus omitted.

As set forth above, according to the exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, a fan-out semiconductor package of which warpage is easily controlled without increasing a thickness may be provided.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan-out semiconductor package comprising: a semiconductor chip having an active surface having connection pads disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface; an encapsulant encapsulating at least portions of the semiconductor chip; a connection member disposed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip and including a redistribution layer electrically connected to the connection pads; a passivation layer disposed on the connection member and having openings exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer; metal members disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connected to the exposed redistribution layer, wherein each metal member is distinct from the redistribution layer so as to define a boundary therebetween; and electrical connection structures disposed on the passivation layer and respectively connected to the metal members, wherein the electrical connection structures include first electrical connection structures and second electrical connection structures having different heights from each other, and wherein the metal members include first discrete metal members respectively connected to the first electrical connection structures and second discrete metal members respectively connected to the second electrical connection structures, and wherein the first and second metal members have different sizes from each other in a plan view of the fan-out semiconductor package.
 2. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the openings of the passivation layer include first openings and second openings in which the first and second metal members are disposed, respectively, and widths of cross sections of the first and second openings are identical to each other.
 3. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the first and second metal members each include under bump metal layers (UBMs) including UBM pads disposed on the passivation layer, and UBM vias disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connecting the exposed redistribution layer and the UBM pads to each other, respectively, and widths of cross sections of the UBM pads between the first and second metal members are different from each other.
 4. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 3, wherein a width of a cross section of the UBM pads of the first metal members is greater than that of the second metal members, and a height of the first electrical connection structures connected to the first metal members is less than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the second metal members.
 5. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 4, wherein the metal members further include a third metal member having a size different from those of the first and second metal members, the electrical connection structures further include a third electrical connection structure connected to the third metal member and having a height different from those of the first and second electrical connection structures, the third metal member includes a UBM including a UBM pad disposed on the passivation layer, and a UBM via disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connecting the exposed redistribution layer and the UBM pad to each other, a width of a cross section of the UBM pad of the third metal member is less than that of the second metal members, and a height of the third electrical connection structure connected to the third metal member is greater than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the second metal members.
 6. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the first and second metal members each include metal posts disposed in the openings of the passivation layer to be spaced apart from walls of the openings, respectively, and widths of cross sections of the metal posts between the first and second metal members are different from each other.
 7. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 6, wherein a width of a cross section of the metal posts of the first metal members is greater than that of the second metal members, and a height of the first electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the first metal members is greater than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the second metal members.
 8. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 7, wherein the metal members further include a third metal member having a size different from those of the first and second metal members, the electrical connection structures further include a third electrical connection structure connected to the third metal member and having a height different from those of the first and second electrical connection structures, the third metal member includes a metal post disposed in the openings of the passivation layer to be spaced apart from walls of the openings, a width of a cross section of the metal post of the third metal member is less than that of the cross section of the metal posts of the second metal members, and a height of the third electrical connection structure connected to the metal post of the third metal member is less than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the second metal members.
 9. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the first and second metal members include metal posts disposed in the openings of the passivation layer to be spaced apart from walls of the openings, respectively, and volumes of the metal posts of the first and second metal members are different from each other.
 10. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 9, wherein a volume of the metal posts of the first metal members is greater than that of the metal posts of the second metal members, and a height of the first electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the first metal members is greater than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the second metal members.
 11. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 10, wherein the metal members further include a third metal member having a size different from those of the first and second metal members, the electrical connection structures further include a third electrical connection structure connected to the third metal member and having a height different from those of the first and second electrical connection structures, the third metal member includes a metal post disposed in the openings of the passivation layer to be spaced apart from walls of the openings, a volume of the metal post of the third metal member is less than that of the metal posts of the second metal members, and a height of the third electrical connection structure connected to the metal post of the third metal member is less than that of the second electrical connection structures connected to the metal posts of the second metal members.
 12. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, further comprising a core member having a through-hole, wherein the semiconductor chip is disposed in the through-hole of the core member, and the encapsulant covers at least portions of the core member and fills at least portions of the through-hole.
 13. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 11, wherein the core member includes a first insulating layer, a first wiring layer embedded in the first insulating layer so that one surface thereof is exposed, a second wiring layer disposed on the other surface of the first insulating layer opposing one surface of the first insulating layer in which the first wiring layer is embedded, a second insulating layer disposed on the first insulating layer and covering the second wiring layer, and a third wiring layer disposed on the second insulating layer, the first to third wiring layers are electrically connected to each other, and the first to third wiring layers are electrically connected to the connection pads.
 14. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 13, wherein the first and second wiring layers are electrically connected to each other by first vias penetrating through the first insulating layer, and the second and third wiring layers are electrically connected to each other by second vias penetrating through the second insulating layer, the first and second vias having tapered shapes of which directions are identical to each other.
 15. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 12, wherein the core member includes a first insulating layer, a first wiring layer disposed on a first surface of the first insulating layer, and a second wiring layer disposed on a second surface of the first insulating layer, the first and second wiring layers are electrically connected to each other, and the first and second wiring layers are electrically connected to the connection pads.
 16. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 15, wherein the core member further includes a second insulating layer disposed on the first surface of the first insulating layer and covering the first wiring layer, a third wiring layer disposed on the second insulating layer, a third insulating layer disposed on the second surface of the first insulating layer and covering the second wiring layer, and a fourth wiring layer disposed on the third insulating layer, and the first to fourth wiring layers are electrically connected to each other, and the first to fourth wiring layers are electrically connected to the connection pads.
 17. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 16, wherein the first and second wiring layers are electrically connected to each other by first vias penetrating through the first insulating layer, the first and third wiring layers are electrically connected to each other by second vias penetrating through the second insulating layer, and the second and fourth wiring layers are electrically connected to each other by third vias penetrating through the third insulating layer, wherein the first vias have an hourglass shape, and the second and third vias have tapered shapes of which directions are opposite to each other.
 18. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein the openings of the passivation layer include first openings and second openings in which the first and second metal members are disposed, respectively, and widths of cross sections of the first and second openings are different from each other.
 19. The fan-out semiconductor package of claim 1, wherein heights of the electrical connection structures decrease in a direction from a center portion toward a periphery of the fan-out semiconductor package.
 20. A fan-out semiconductor package comprising: a semiconductor chip having an active surface having connection pads disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface; an encapsulant encapsulating at least portions of the semiconductor chip; a connection member disposed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip and including a redistribution layer electrically connected to the connection pads; a passivation layer disposed on the connection member and having openings exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer; metal members, which are discrete, disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connected to the exposed redistribution layer, wherein each metal member is distinct from the redistribution layer so as to define a boundary therebetween; and electrical connection structures disposed on the passivation layer and respectively connected to the metal members, wherein the electrical connection structures have heights hierarchically differentiated from one another depending on sizes of the metal members, and wherein the metal members respectively connected to the electrical connection structures and have different sizes from each other in a plan view of the fan-out semiconductor package.
 21. A fan-out semiconductor package comprising: a semiconductor chip having an active surface having connection pads disposed thereon and an inactive surface opposing the active surface; an encapsulant encapsulating at least portions of the semiconductor chip; a connection member disposed on the active surface of the semiconductor chip and including a redistribution layer electrically connected to the connection pads; a passivation layer disposed on the connection member and having openings exposing at least portions of the redistribution layer; metal members, which are discrete, disposed in the openings of the passivation layer and connected to the exposed redistribution layer, wherein each metal member is distinct from the redistribution layer so as to define a boundary therebetween; and electrical connection structures disposed on the passivation layer and respectively connected to the metal members, wherein the electrical connection structures include first electrical connection structures and second electrical connection structures having different heights from each other, and wherein each metal member includes a recessed portion in which a respective electrical connection structure is disposed. 